Behind on property taxes in Lakeland? Sell before a tax deed sale.
We buy houses with back taxes across Lakeland as-is, for cash. Tell us your timeline and we'll build the closing around it.
- Written cash offer within 24 hours
- No obligation to accept
- You pick the closing date
Can I sell a house with back taxes in Lakeland?
Yes. Back taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, which redeems any tax certificate and stops a tax deed. In Florida you can redeem up until the tax deed is issued, so selling early protects your equity.
For Lakeland properties, the local steps run through the Polk County Circuit Court (10th Judicial Circuit) and the Polk County Clerk of Court.
How tax lien works in Polk County
The steps below follow Florida statutes and the offices that handle them in Polk County, which includes Lakeland.
Taxes due
Florida property taxes are mailed in November and become delinquent if unpaid by April 1.
Tax certificate sale
The Polk County Tax Collector sells a tax certificate on the unpaid taxes by June 1. The buyer earns interest; you still own the home.
Two-year clock
Two years after April 1 of the year the certificate was issued, the holder can apply for a tax deed (s. 197.502).
Tax deed auction
The Polk County Clerk of Court schedules a public auction. For homestead property the opening bid includes half of the assessed value.
Redemption
You can redeem by paying the full amount owed any time before the tax deed is issued.
Selling a house with back taxes in Lakeland
Lakeland is Polk County's largest city, halfway between Tampa and Orlando on I-4. Polk County sits on the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando and has been one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
We buy houses with back taxes in Dixieland, Lake Morton, South Lakeland, Highland City and North Lakeland, and anywhere else in Lakeland, plus nearby Haines City and Winter Haven.
| County | Polk County, Central Florida |
|---|---|
| County seat | Bartow |
| Court for tax lien cases | Polk County Circuit Court (10th Judicial Circuit) |
| Official records & court sales | Polk County Clerk of Court |
| Property taxes | Polk County Tax Collector |
| Where we buy | Dixieland, Lake Morton, South Lakeland, Highland City, North Lakeland · nearby Haines City, Winter Haven |
Options for Lakeland homeowners
Selling to us is one option, not the only one. Lakeland homeowners in this spot usually weigh pay in full, installment plan, refinance and sell for cash. If keeping the house or listing it makes more sense, we'll say so.
Compare every option in the Florida guide →- Several years of taxes are unpaid
- A tax certificate was sold on the property
- You received a tax deed application notice
- The house needs work you can't afford
Three steps. Your schedule.
Here's exactly what happens after you ask for an offer on your Lakeland property.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
What Lakeland homeowners ask about tax lien
When does a Florida tax certificate turn into a tax deed?
The certificate holder can apply for a tax deed two years after April 1 of the year the certificate was issued (s. 197.502). The Clerk then schedules an auction.
What happens to surplus after a tax deed sale?
If the auction brings more than what's owed, the surplus goes to lienholders and then the former owner, who must claim it from the Clerk.
Who runs tax certificate and tax deed sales in Polk County?
The Polk County Tax Collector sells tax certificates each spring. Tax deed auctions are run by the Polk County Clerk of Court.
Do you buy houses in Lakeland?
Yes. We buy in Dixieland, Lake Morton, South Lakeland and Highland City and every other part of Lakeland, as well as the rest of Polk County. Submit the address and we'll confirm within a day.
How fast can you close in Lakeland?
As little as 7 days after you accept, using a Florida title company. If you need more time, we'll set the date that works for you.
Related help
Other situations in Lakeland
Delinquent Taxes & Tax Liens help nearby
Get your no-obligation cash offer on your Lakeland property.
Two minutes to submit, a written offer within 24 hours, and the closing date you choose. Nothing to fix, nothing to list.